Delhi Police have dismantled an alleged inter-state child trafficking network, rescuing five infants aged between five days and four months after a 15-day operation. Thirteen people, including a doctor, alleged traffickers, intermediaries and buyers, have been arrested in connection with the case, reports TOI.
Investigators suspect that nearly 30 infants may have been trafficked through the network and are continuing efforts to identify additional victims and suspects.
The operation began after a concerned citizen reported suspicious activity involving a woman carrying different infants on separate occasions in central Delhi's Paharganj area.
Police told TOI that the individual first noticed a woman with a baby who later disappeared. Around two weeks later, the same woman was seen with another infant, prompting suspicions and a report to authorities.
Police tracked the woman, identified as Jyoti alias Kamlesh, and deployed a male and female officer as decoy customers to gather evidence.
During the operation, Jyoti allegedly agreed to sell a male infant for Rs 5 lakh and accepted Rs 20,000 as an advance payment. She instructed the undercover officers to collect the child near RK Ashram Metro Station on June 5.
Police rescued the four-to-five-day-old infant at the meeting point and arrested Jyoti, who was allegedly coordinating the operation. Her arrest led investigators to alleged associates Shalu, accused of managing supply, and Lalit, who allegedly monitored financial transactions.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Rohit Rajbir Singh said the arrests helped expose a larger trafficking syndicate, as reported by TOI.
Investigators found that Jyoti was allegedly in contact with Saybabhai Ghamar, also known as Kalia, who is suspected of supplying infants from Rajasthan.
Police said the network functioned through a structured chain involving suppliers, mediators, transporters, facilitators and buyers operating across multiple states.
The investigation also revealed allegations that some infants were purchased for as little as Rs 20,000 and later sold for up to Rs 8.5 lakh. Male infants were allegedly acquired for Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 2 lakh and sold for between Rs 6 lakh and Rs 8 lakh. In certain cases, transactions reportedly reached Rs 9 lakh.
Doctor and hospital under scrutiny
Police said trafficked infants were brought from different states to Delhi, where they were allegedly hidden, medically attended to and prepared for illegal transfer.
Investigators identified the alleged involvement of Dr Viveki, owner of Hira's Multispeciality Hospital in Rohini's Begum Pur. According to police, the doctor allegedly sheltered trafficked infants and helped identify prospective buyers among childless couples seeking fertility treatment.
Authorities further alleged that forged hospital, delivery and birth records were created at the facility to establish false parentage and facilitate illegal adoptions.
Police said they plan to approach the Delhi Medical Council regarding the alleged irregularities and seek additional information about the hospital. There was no immediate response from the contact number listed on the hospital's website.
Multiple arrests across states
Among those arrested were Vipin, a driver accused of transporting infants, and Pratibha, a freelance laboratory technician linked to the hospital. Police said both were detained while allegedly travelling to arrange another child, and Rs 2.9 lakh was recovered from them.
Another suspect, Omwati, a domestic worker from Gurugram, was arrested for allegedly acting as a mediator.
Kalia, identified as the alleged principal supplier, was arrested in Gujarat on June 17 by a team led by Inspector Sandeep Yadav under the supervision of ACP Padam Singh Rana.
The accused were arrested from Delhi, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.
Infants rescued from multiple locations
Police rescued a four-month-old male infant from Panipat and two 27-day-old infants, one male and one female, from Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh.
The five rescued children include four tribal infants and one child from Delhi.
Authorities also arrested several alleged buyers, including Gwalior residents Mukesh and Reema Pal, who are accused of purchasing two trafficked infants. Panipat residents Sunny and Ritu Arora were arrested for allegedly buying one child, while Sarika, a 38-year-old resident of Panipat, was arrested for allegedly purchasing a trafficked infant.
Key accused had prior trafficking case
Investigators said records revealed that Jyoti had previously been arrested in a child trafficking and POCSO case registered at Punjabi Bagh police station.
The investigation remains ongoing as police examine the full scale of the trafficking network and trace additional infants who may have been sold through the alleged racket.
(With inputs from TOI)
